ROY Hodgson reckons his new summer signings are still finding their feet and believes Albion will get better as the season progresses.

The head coach has assembled an impressive squad brimming with quality players, many of whom have found the step up to the Premier League an easy transition.

Shane Long, Gareth McAuley and Billy Jones were all plying their trade in the Championship last season but they have not shown any signs to suggest they may struggle at the higher level.

Hodgson is pleased with the performances of his new arrivals but insists there is still room for improvement, which will come gradually throughout the campaign.

“I think we will get better,” he said.

“There are a lot of newcomers this season like Jones, McAuley and Long.

“Now we are just over a quarter of the way through the season they are in it now and I think they will get better.

“Twenty-seven games is a lot of games and they are going to come without breaks now.

“There have been periods during the year when we have shown signs of what our potential is but I think there is still a good margin for progression in this team.

“I believe in the players and the squad and it’s just a question of people making sure they keep their heads down and learn from mistakes. There is no doubt we have some real quality Premiership players.”

Hodgson thinks too much emphasis is placed on where league players come from, and insists careful consideration is taken when new signings are made.

He believes there is plenty of talent kicking around in the lower divisions who are capable of making the step up.

“Everyone starts somewhere,” he said.

“I think the Championship is quite a tough league to play in and if you look at teams who have taken players from the Championship most would be very happy.

“I don’t think Swansea want to give any of their Championship players back or Norwich are too unhappy with the players they have recruited or Bolton with the signing of Chris Eagles.